US Congressional research service report lauds Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar's performance; questions Rahul Gandhi's abilities to lead Cong

NEW DELHI: A US Congressional report has identified Gujarat as the best example of effective governance and lauded Chief Minister Narendra Modi for making the state a key driver of national economic growth.

The report prepared by an independent and bipartisan wing of the US Congress, Congressional Research Service, credited Chief Minister Narendra Modi with streamlining economic processes, removing red tape and curtailing corruption to make the state a key driver of national economic growth. "Seeking to overcome the taint of his alleged complicity in 2002 riots, Modi has overseen heavy investment in modern roads, power infrastructure and annual growth of more than 11% in recent years. Gujarat now accounts for more than one-fifth of India's exports," the report noted.

Modi was denied a US visa under American law that bans entry for foreign government officials found to be complicit in violations of religious freedom.

According to the report, Gujarat, is followed by Bihar and its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for his governance and administrative skills. "He is credited with restoring law and order across much of the state, as well as overseeing infrastructure and educational improvements of direct benefit to common citizens' projects," the report said.

The report, which talks about the debate on the potential prime ministerial contenders for the 2014 polls, said that it might just turn out to be a direct contest between Modi and Rahul Gandhi: "The 2009 polls may have represented a coming out party of sorts for the younger Gandhi, who many expect to be put forward as Congress' prime ministerial candidate in scheduled 2014 elections," said the report.

The report, however, doubts the potential of Gandhi to lead his party effectively in the polls. "This heir-apparent remains dogged by questions about his abilities to lead the party, given a mixed record as an election strategist, uneasy style in public appearances, and reputation for gaffes," the report said.

The Congressional report said the absence of Sonia Gandhi from the centre stage of politics was hurting her party.

"Congress President is suffering from an unknown illness and in early August virtually disappeared from India's political stage, having left the country for surgery at an undisclosed US hospital." It noted that the periodic calls from Congress for Rahul Gandhi's leadership was undermining the position of the prime minister.

The report says that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has not been effectively leading the government. "While prime minister is not accused of personal wrongdoing, he has come under fire for an allegedly inattentive management style that, for many observers, facilitated an environment in which corruption could spread," it said that added that it was leading to a governance paralysis.

The report said that a series of scams have seriously dented the image of the UPA government and positioned Opposition BJP in a better place for the 2014 elections. It also described the jailing of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare as both inept and undemocratic. "By jailing Hazare, the government looked both inept and undemocratic, and united a wide range of otherwise reluctant actors in support of Hazare's movement."